Dual-Purpose Hair Care Device

ABSTRACT

A dual-purpose hair care device for styling hair. The device includes a base having a first end and a second end. The second end has a handle that enables a user to maneuver the device. The first end is oval-shaped and includes a foam pad on one side and a cushion on the opposing side. The foam pad includes a plurality of apertures adapted to receive hair therethrough. The foam pad curls an area of hair when the foam pad is pressed against the hair and rotated in a circular motion. The cushion on the opposing side has a plurality of bristles extending outwardly therefrom. The bristles can be dragged along hair to brush it into a straight hairstyle or to detangle the hair. The bristle and foam pad combination provides variety and convenience to the user in styling his or her hair.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/155,149 filed on Apr. 30, 2015. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair care devices. More specifically,the present invention relates to brushes for curling hair.

Many people change the appearance of their hair throughout theirlifetime. To do this, they cut, dye, or style their hair in differentways. There are many people that style their hair so that it is curly orhas a twisted appearance. Currently, there are existing hair curlingdevices that can be used to create ringlets, twists, or spirals in theuser's hair. However, many of these devices require heat and a powersource. Thus, the user is limited in where and when these types of haircurling devices can be used.

Further, creating a curl by heating the hair can cause damage to thehair, such as burning or breakage. In addition, using heated haircurling devices creates ringlets that are unnatural, i.e., notoriginally existing. However, there are many individuals with naturallycurly or afro-like hair who desire to accentuate natural or existingcurls.

While there are devices for creating curly hair for individuals withafro-like hair, these devices are difficult to use. They are oftenentirely composed of foam and can be hard to grip and maneuver duringthe curling process. Further, the user is limited to just one type ofhairstyle because the foam can only be used to curl hair. Thus, there isa need for a portable device that can curl hair as well as detangle hairor brush hair straight without the use of heat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofhair brushes now present in the prior art, the present inventionprovides a hair brush that allows the user to curl, detangle, andstraighten his or her hair. The present invention comprises a basehaving a first end and a second end. The first end is preferablyoval-shaped and comprises a foam pad on one side and a cushion having aplurality of bristles extending therefrom on the opposing side. Thesecond end comprises a handle for maneuvering the first end over hair.

The foam pad is preferably oval-shaped and comprises a plurality ofapertures extending therethrough. However, the apertures do not extendthrough the base. The apertures can be any suitable size; however,apertures with a smaller diameter produce tighter curls. In use, a userpresses the foam pad against his or her hair and rotates the foam pad ina circular motion thereby producing a twisted look. An opposing side ofthe first end comprises a cushion having a plurality of bristlesextending outwardly therefrom. The cushion reduces tension between thebristles and the hair thereby preventing breakage and other damage. Thebristles can be used to brush hair straight or detangle hair. Thus, thedevice provides variety and convenience for hairstyling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the hair care device.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the foam pad of the hair care device.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the bristles of the hair care device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the hair care device. The figures are intended forrepresentative purposes only and should not be considered to be limitingin any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the haircare device. The device comprises a rounded base 100 having a first end102 and second end 104. The base 100 is preferably composed of a rigidmaterial, such as wood, hard plastic, and the like. In the depictedembodiment, the first end 102 is oval-shaped. In various embodiments,the first end is rectangular or any other suitable shape. In thepreferred embodiment, the base comprises a second end 104 having ahandle. In the depicted embodiment, the second end 104 comprises anaperture 106 extending therethrough. The aperture 106 is adapted toreceive cable, rope, and the like. A cable can be threaded through theaperture 106 and tied such that the device can be more easily stored ortransported. In the depicted embodiment, the first end 102 of the base100 further comprises a foam pad 108 on one side and a cushion 110 on anopposing side wherein the cushion 110 has a plurality of bristles 112extending therefrom.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a close-up view of the foam pad.One side of the first end 102 of the base 100 comprises a foam pad 108having a plurality of apertures 114 adapted to receive hairtherethrough. However, in the depicted embodiment, the apertures 114 donot extend entirely through the base 100. To achieve a curled or twistedlook, a user holds the handle such that the foam pad is pressed againsthis or her hair. Preferably, the user's hair is short, afro-like, anddamp. The user then rotates the foam pad continuously in a circularmotion while still pressing the foam pad against his or her hair. Thetexture of the hair interacts with the texture of the foam pad togenerate friction. Due to the friction, the apertures becomesuction-like, pulling the hair inward. The foam pad works well with damphair as the foam is absorbent and sponge-like, thus further gripping thehair. The curled or twisted look is generated as the hair is pulled intothe aperture and rolled therein by the circular motion of the foam padagainst the hair.

As the hair is curled and twisted while it is pulled into the apertures,the size of the aperture determines how tight the curl is. For example,the curl generated cannot have a diameter larger than a diameter of theaperture because the hair must be pulled into the aperture in order togenerate the curl. Thus, apertures with a smaller diameter producetighter and narrower curls whereas apertures with a larger diameterproduce looser and wider curls. However, it is possible to generatetighter curls when the apertures have a larger diameter by repetitivepasses of the foam pad over a section of hair. The foam pad willcontinue to generate friction with the hair and thus, continue to twistthe hair. Although friction is created between the foam pad and thehair, the soft and resilient foam material protects the hair frombreakage and other damage. Further, the foam material is flexible so asto conform to the shape of the user's head.

Further, the pattern in which the apertures are spaced on the foam padcan also produce different hairstyles. Because the hair is curled whenit is pulled into the apertures, the location of the aperture determineswhich area of hair is curled. In the depicted embodiment, the apertures114 are randomly spaced along the foam padding. When the apertures arerandomly spaced, the curls produced by use of the foam pad will berandomly spaced. In alternative embodiments, the apertures are evenlyspaced. When the apertures are evenly spaced, the curls produced will beevenly spaced. However, even if the apertures are evenly spaced,multiple passes of the foam pad over the hair may produce curls that arenot evenly spaced because the apertures may not be in line with thecurls previously generated.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a close-up view of the bristles.On an opposing side of the base, the device comprises a cushion 110having a plurality of bristles 112 extending outwardly therefrom. In thedepicted embodiment, the cushion 110 is oval-shaped. The oval shape ofthe cushion provides comfort to the user when brushing his or her hair.The rounded edges of the cushion are more likely to align with a user'shairline. This lowers the chance that bristles extending from thecushion will scrape against a user's skin in areas beyond the hairline.For example, a rectangular cushion may have bristles that extend ontothe forehead or neck as the bristles are dragged through the hair.Further, the cushion 110 decreases tension between the bristles 112 andthe hair while in use because the cushion can give way when met withresistance. This reduces breakage and other damage when brushing ordetangling hair with the bristles.

In the depicted embodiment, the bristles 112 are equally spaced andarranged in a grid pattern protruding outwardly from the cushion 110.Bristles that are aligned in grid patterns are better for detanglinghair because strands of hair are separated evenly. In alternativeembodiments, the bristles protrude outwardly in a random arrangement.Bristles that are sporadically placed are gentler on fine hair thanthose aligned in rows.

In the preferred embodiment, the bristles 112 are boar bristles. Boarbristles are beneficial to the scalp because they do not grip the hairtightly and help to distribute natural body oil throughout the hair.This gently stretches the hair, smooths the outermost part of the hair,and create shine. In alternative embodiments, the bristles can becomposed of nylon, stainless steel, horse hair, and the like. Bristlesmade of nylon and other plastics grip the hair more tightly. A tightergrip on the hair allows for better detangling as the bristles do noteasily pass over knots and tangles.

If the user desired to straighten or detangle his or her hair, the usercan rotate the device so that the bristles are in contact with an areaof hair. The user can then grip the handle and drag the brush along thelength of the hair such that bristles extend through the hair. Thisallows the bristles to separate and straighten the strands of hair. Asthe strands are straightened, the bristles detangle the hair byseparating knots created between strands of hair. The user can repeatthis brushing pattern until the desired hairstyle is achieved. Thedevice may be provided with bristles of varying thickness and densityfor use in brushing thick or thin hair.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, thatdepartures may be made within the scope of the invention and thatobvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. Withrespect to the above description then, it is to be realized that theoptimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A dual-purpose hair care device, comprising: a base having afirst end and a second end; wherein the second end has a handle; a foampad attached to a side of the first end; wherein the foam pad is adaptedfor use in curling a user's hair; wherein a plurality of aperturesextend through the foam pad; a cushion attached to the first end on theopposite side as the foam pad; wherein a plurality of bristles extendfrom the cushion. 2) The device of claim 1, wherein the base is rounded.3) The device of claim 1, wherein the first end is oval-shaped. 4) Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the first end is rectangular. 5) The deviceof claim 1, further comprising an aperture in the second end adapted toreceive a cord therethrough. 6) The device of claim 1, wherein theapertures are equally spaced. 7) The device of claim 1, wherein thebristles are boar bristles. 8) The device of claim 1, wherein thebristles are made of nylon. 9) The device of claim 1, wherein thebristles are arranged in a grid pattern. 10) The device of claim 1,wherein the bristles are equally spaced.